---
title: "Lab Automation Incubator and Robotic Software"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH"
published: "2026-03-30"
---

# Lab Automation Incubator and Robotic Software

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has completed a procurement process titled "Lab Automation Incubator and Robotic Software," focusing on the education sector located in Edinburgh. The award was made on 27th March 2026 and concerns the purchase of an automated incubator, shaker units, and software upgrades for the Edinburgh Genome Foundry's existing robotic system. The procurement utilised a limited method, being a non-competitive action due to technical reasons, with Thermo Fisher Scientific selected as the exclusive supplier. The contract, valued at €271,240.39, aims to integrate new and existing equipment to enhance operational efficiencies at the facility.

This procurement presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialised in lab automation, biotechnology, and software integration services. Given the technical and proprietary nature of the project, it is particularly suitable for companies with niche expertise in robotic systems and software that can offer bespoke solutions and support for specialised academic and research institutions. The success of suppliers in such tenders can provide a platform for enhancing credibility and expanding their footprint in high-tech educational and research environments.

## Notice

Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is currently undertaking a significant upgrade of its facility. As part of this upgrade, EGF will retain and repurpose an existing Robotic Arm, which is a core component in its microplate automation. This procurement relates to the purchase of a automated incubator, shaker units and associated software upgrades required to modernise the existing system. The upgraded software will enable full integration of the robotic arm with the new automated incubator and shaker units, allowing coordinated, simultaneous operation across the platform. This integration is critical to achieving the intended efficiency gains, workflow automation, and increased throughput within the upgraded facility.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is currently undertaking a significant upgrade of its facility. As part of this upgrade, EGF will retain and repurpose an existing Robotic Arm, which is a core component in its microplate automation. This procurement relates to the purchase of a automated incubator, shaker units and associated software upgrades required to modernise the existing system. The upgraded software will enable full integration of the robotic arm with the new automated incubator and shaker units, allowing coordinated, simultaneous operation across the platform. This integration is critical to achieving the intended efficiency gains, workflow automation, and increased throughput within the upgraded facility.

### Procurement Information

Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is currently undertaking a significant upgrade of its facility. As part of this upgrade, EFG will retain and repurpose its existing Robotic Arm, which is a core component in its microplate automation, thereby maximising the value and lifespan of previously invested capital. This procurement relates to the purchase of an automated incubator, shaker units and associated software upgrades required to modernise the existing system. The upgraded software will enable full integration of the robotic arm with the new automated incubator and shaker units and existing units, allowing coordinated, simultaneous operation across the platform. This integration is critical to achieving the intended efficiency gains, workflow automation, and increased throughput within the upgraded facility. The selected supplier is the only provider capable of delivering this requirement. As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Robotic Arm, it retains exclusive intellectual property rights over both the hardware and its technology. The system is proprietary technology of the supplier and covered by IP, and is not available for integration with other schedulers. Due to technical and intellectual property, no alternative supplier can provide the necessary software upgrades or integration between the existing robotic arm and the requested automated incubator and shaker equipment. Another supplier would introduce significant technical risk, including potential incompatibility, loss of functionality, and operational disruption. On this basis, an award via a Non-Competitive Action (NCA) is justified on the grounds that competition is absent for technical reasons.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552745 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £271,240 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

### Codes

- 33152000 - Incubators

## Release History

- 30 Mar 2026 at 00:00 - Award - PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552745

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552745
  Lab Automation Incubator and Robotic Software - Edinburgh Genome Foundry (EGF) is currently undertaking a significant upgrade of its facility. As part of this upgrade, EGF will retain and repurpose an existing Robotic Arm, which is a core component in its microplate automation. This procurement relates to the purchase of a automated incubator, shaker units and associated software upgrades required to modernise the existing system. The upgraded software will enable full integration of the robotic arm with the new automated incubator and shaker units, allowing coordinated, simultaneous operation across the platform. This integration is critical to achieving the intended efficiency gains, workflow automation, and increased throughput within the upgraded facility.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827926.json.